He’s Baaaaccccckkkkk!

And oh, how I wish he wasn’t.  My home has been almost Elmo-free for 5 months.  You know, since Christmas when we bought Greenleigh all those Elmo dolls.  Sure, she’d bring out one of her Elmos from time to time (normally the “Hokey-Pokey” Elmo that my mom picked up for $5 at a flea market, who wants the $50 one that I got from WalMart anyway?), but for the most part, they stayed in the toy pile untouched.  Every now and again she would ask to see an Elmo episode or put a dvd in herself, but lately, we’ve been dominated by Doc McStuffins, Dora, and Minnie.  There was just no room for Elmo.  And I was happy elated.

It’s not that I don’t like him, because I love how happy he makes my kids.  But his speaking in the third person and that high-pitched voice?  I’m not a fan.  So when he started to get less popular, I was okay with it…even though I was heavily financially invested in Elmo merchandise.

And then it happened – I caught Hazeline dragging the Let’s Rock Elmo that Greenleigh got for Christmas out of it’s hiding place place in the playroom and into the middle of the living room.  Once she figured out how it worked, she laughed and clapped and danced to her heart’s content.  As much as I loved watching her having fun, all I could think was “Damn it, she likes him!”.  Then my mind raced – No, no, no, this can’t be happening.  This shouldn’t be happening yet.  Greenleigh was at least…um…15 months old when she first started to get into Elmo. How old is Hazeline?  Oh yeah, 15 months.  Right on schedule.

Once again, I find myself stuck in the Elmo stage.  Let’s pray it passes quickly.